Health aide accused of stealing half-million dollars from client

Police say a home health aide stole more than a half-million dollars over the past five years from one of her clients, a legally blind, 82-year-old woman.

Investigator Timothy M. Brown of the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office said Michele L. Rose, 49, of 214 Jones Road #82, Saratoga Springs, wrote checks for thousands of dollars to herself, transferred money out of the elderly woman’s bank accounts and used credit cards stolen from the victim beginning in 2006.

All told, Brown said, investigators believe Rose stole $513,479.06 and left her client with thousands of dollars in delinquent bills, including a disconnect notice from National Grid.

Brown said Rose had access to the victim’s bank accounts and credit cards because her duties included assisting with the woman’s bills and maintaining her home. The victim was unaware of any irregularities in her finances, Brown explained, because she was also dependent on Rose to read her mail and other correspondence.

The theft was finally uncovered, Brown said, when one of the victim’s five children — all of whom live outside the area — tried to get money from one of her bank accounts to pay a medical bill.

Rose was charged with second-degree grand larceny, a felony. She was arraigned Wednesday in Wilton Town Court and released. She is scheduled to return to court at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22.